Pigs are being given toys to play with in their pens – because happier pigs make tastier pork.

On farms across the country, the animals are being treated to an array of playthings to bite into – including ropes, footballs traffic cones, rubber boots, chains and even rubber hoses hanging down from the ceiling.

One big hit with the pigs has been a plastic gadget known as a Porcichew, which the animals can swing on in circles like children on a roundabout.

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BPEX welfare co-ordinator Dr Nina Wainwright said: ‘Stressed pigs are likely to start biting tails, and sometimes ears, of other pigs and one of the main causes of stress is a lack of things to bite at.’

Midlands pig farmer Meryl Ward, 52, said: ‘If a pig is less stressed you get better-tasting bacon, ham and pork.’

Under new welfare rules next spring, pigs will be inspected three times a year and their happiness ratings will be logged by vets on a database.

Meat from happy pigs contains less cortisone and is more tasty, researchers say